Renovation Tool Overview + 10 Unique Uses (Archintensive 2023 Replay)

If you are not using the Archicad Renovation Tool, you are not taking advantage of a powerful function within the BIM program for controlling the visibility of elements and documentation!

Our Archintensive 2023 Presentation was a deep dive into the Renovation Tool. If you have not seen the replay of this presentation, check out the video below!

Plus we also have a FREE DOWNLOAD of our sample presentation file, available through the form below as well!

If you are brand new to the Renovation Tool, you can find it under the Window>Palettes section. Add this useful palette to your work environment, as it's always on regardless of whether you're paying attention to it

Top 3 Tips for Using the Renovation Tool!

1. Always pay attention to your "Default Element Status", which controls which assignment newly placed elements gets (Existing / Demo / New)
2. Be cautious and aware when "Pinning" elements to a specific renovation filter, as they will ONLY SHOW ON THAT FILTER!
3. Get familiarized with the Renovation Filter Options, as these can override both Model View Options, as well as Graphic Overrides!

Renovation Palette Default Status

I'd recommend to always dock the renovation palette and pay attention to it! It's as important as layers, and also controls MVO and Graphic Override Options. Whatever default status you have set, will be applied to newly placed elements into your project.

Renovation Filter Options

Each renovation filter has it's own settings, to show, hide or override the the 3 primary filter settings of Existing, Demo and New.

Beyond these settings, you also have additional filter options that can be applied to Existing and Demo'd elements, as listed in this image below. It's worthwhile to go through each setting, and toggle them off and on so you have a good idea of how they will be displayed for each renovation filter you create.

Graphic Overrides for Renovations

When a filter setting for Existing / Demo / New is set to Override, a Graphic Override rule will be applied. These 3 rules above the line are built into Archicad, and cannot be deleted or criteria modified. You do have full control over the Style that is applied, so take advantage of this and adjust it accordingly for your preferred output display!

Traditional Use of the Renovations

The traditional use of the renovation tool, would include assignment and filters setup for:

• 01 Existing Elements (Existing Plan)
• 02 Elements to be Demolished (Demo Plan)
• 03 After Demolition, and before New Construction (Temporary Mid Project View)
• 04 New Construction Plan (Overrides Applied)
• 05 Planned Status (No Overrides Applied / Final Status of Project)

Beyond this, there are several other uses for the Renovation Tool that go beyond traditional, and outside the box!

10 Unique Uses of the Renovation Tool

Note - This sample file and snip shown below has 1 LAYER! All of this visibility demonstrated is controlled via RENOVATION FILTERS

1. Managing Design Options

By pinning select elements to a designated "Design Option" layer, you can control multiple versions within the same project, without the use of layers.

When you've selected an option, you can unpin them from the design option, and they will appear as part of the normal workflow.

This obviously works in both 2d and 3d workflows, as demonstrated by these snips from our presentation sample file!

2. Working Views with Modeling Favorites and Assemblies

In the CONTRABIM Template, we are using this method heavily to display specific content related to specific view types, making it fast an easy to copy/paste assemblies, or to eyedrop individual elements for placement into your project.

This same approach can be use for managing entire scopes of work modeled into your project, that only display on certain renovation filters, as shown below with framing members only showing on a working view for framing.

3. Add Alternatives

If you want to have a list of Add-Alternatives either pulled off to the side of your project, ready for placement, or already placed within your project, you can do this as well!

This makes it easy to control elements associated with add-options, so you can have them ready to go and TURN ON by UNPINNING!

4. Annotation Views

Yes, dimensions, labels, texts, fills can all be pinned to renovations. Here is an example of controlling dimensions...

5. Temporary / Site Logistics Phases

With this same pinning technique, you can create temporary phasing logistics plans by once again, pinning to a designated filter!

6. Renovation Filters for Natural Schedule Criteria

When saving a view of a schedule, the renovation filters are always applied regardless of whether you're using them. So be aware!

This can also be a benefit of filtering your model for scheduling purposes, based on it's view setting, and without the need of criteria in your schedule. Meaning you can use 1 schedule, saved multiple times into different views (with different renovation filters), and get different results!

7. Data Objects

One feature in the CONTRABIM template that is quite useful, is the placement of 2D objects for the purpose of carrying data to be listed on schedules. We use this for both code references, as well as links back to our training guide where CONTRABIM members can watch videos on the subjects they desire and need at any point in time!

 08 - Object Creation Workflow

If you're using the Library Part Maker, it can be useful to pin your kit of parts to the Renovation Filter designated for building objects! This way they don't interfere with your project, but are available when you want to generate a new object!

09 - Operator Docking

You can also pin operating elements to a designated renovation filter. While this works well, I still prefer to use a designated layer for this, as it's a little easier to turn off and on without having to switch back and forth:) But it can be done, and it works quite well!

In this image, we used morphs to cut the openings through our steel deck object used to create our finish facade.

10 - Trash Bin / Archive Filter

If you ever want to hide elements and archive them from your active project, you can use a designated Trash Bin Filter which works AWESOME! This is better than having a layer designated to trash / archive in my opinion. It's easy to assign elements by pinning to trash, and they won't ever appear or show on a schedule unless you unpin, but as the same time are available to turn back on as desired!

Well, that is it for our 10 Unique Uses! I hope you learned a few things from this blog and picked up a few tricks for your workflow.

If you want to download this sample file and play around with these options as well, fill out the form below and we'll send you a link to download the ZIPPED PLA.